spangler



4 sheets-sheet 2.

(No Model.)

J. W. SPANGLER. WASHING MACHINE.

No. 480,214. Patented Aug. 2, 1892.

AJ, .dizormya 4 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

J. W. SPANGLBR.

WASHING MACHINE.

Patented Aug. 2, 1892 (in Model.) 4 sheets-sheen `4. J. W. SPANGLER.

WASHING MACHINE.

Patented Aug.' 2, 1892. A

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WfZ/VESSES UNITED STATES PATnr-JT Fries.

JACOB IV. SPANGLER, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO MOSESE. HARTZLER, OF SAME PLACE.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,214, dated August2, 189?.

Application filed Tune 12, 1891.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JACOB W. SPANGLER, a citizen of the United States,residing at York, in the county of York and State of Pennsyl- Vania,have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in lVashing-Machines,of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to that class of washio ing-machines in which apositively-driven rubbing-cylinder is combined with an opposedrubbing-surface, between which cylinder and rubbing-surface the clothesto be washed are passed and rubbed. I have found I5 that where therubbing-surface is composed of rollers there is insutlicient adhesion tomove the clothes, and consequently the rubbing is imperfect, and theclothes are not properly acted upon to remove the dirt, and zo I havefound that where a smooth surface or a surface of smoot-h substance ormaterial is employed and such surface is stationary-that is to say,non-rotary-sutlicient adhesion is developed under the action of therotary cylinder to force the clothes through and give them a rubbingaction that is nearly like that of the human hands upon a wash-board.The surface that I prefer to employ7 is Zinc corru gated in thedirection of the length of the 3o rubbing-cylinder, although I do notlimit my invention to the employment of zinc ora corrugated surface, asother material may be employed so long as its surface is smooth.

In practicing my invention I employa longitudinally ribbed or corrugatedcylinder and means to drive it rotarily, and I provide movable bearingsfor the cylinder and for the rubbing-surface and combine therewith apressure-regulator. Either the cylinder or 4o the rubbing-surface, orboth of them, may be turned up out of the tub or trough in which theyare arranged. These features constitute one portion of my invention.

Vashing-machines which include a tub or trough are ordinarily providedwith fixed legs to support them at a propel' height for use. These legsadd to the cubic space occupied by the machine in transportation andstorage and in this aspect are an element of 5o considerable expense toshippers and in storing. Another part of my invention consists inproviding foldable legs.

In the accom pan ying drawings, illustrating my invention, in theseveral figures of which like parts are similarly designated, Figure lis a plan View. Figs. l@ and lb are sectional elevations of preferredforms of pressure-reg'- ulators. Figs. lC and ll are perspective views,respectively, of the pressure-regulators of Figs. l and lb, detached.Fig. 2 is a side ele- 6o vation of the form of machine illustrated inFig. l, showing the machine in position for transportation or storage,the sprocket-wheel h and part of the chain being shown in dotted linesin order to show clearly and fully o5 the parts behind them. Fig. 3 is alongitudinal section of one form of the machine, and Fig. 4t is asimilar view of a modification. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of thecylinder. Fig. t5 is a perspective View of the soap- 7o dish and itssocket detached. Fig. 7 is a section in detail taken in the plane ofline x Fig. l. Fig. 8 is a perspective view, and Fig.

9 a vertical section, of the leg-socket. Fig. l() is a section of aportion of the machine on line fg y, Fig. l.

XVithout thereby limiting my invention to the details of construction,excepting as hereinafter claimed, I will proceed to describe myinvention with reference to the illustrations 8o in the drawings.

The letter a designates a tub or trough or box rectangular in outlineand of sufficient length and depth and by preference made of wood andadapted to contain water for Washing purposes. This tub may be providedwith an outlet-hole a and a stopper a2 therefor. Instead of making acomplete tub to contain water, I may mount my apparatus upon a framesuch as shown in the drawings, but 9o without a bottom, and adapt it tobe used upon any common tub or other vessel. The cylinder l) may be ofany approved construction; lout I prefer, for many reasons, to constructit as follows: A number of sectors b are cut from a flat piece of woodin such shape that when assembled they will form a cylinder whoseperiphery is uted or corrugated. The inner angles of these sectors areremoved, so as to make a hollow cylinder.

The ends of roo these sectors are provided with tongues b2. Thesesectors are fitted between heads e and c', and each head is providedwith an annular socket c2, which receives thc tongues h2 of the sectorsand holds them in place. The heads c and c are provided with hollowgudgeons cii and c4, and a bolt (Z is passed through these hollowgudgeons through the central opening of the cylinder and supplied with anut and washer CZ to bind the heads and sectors together. Arms c arepivoted to brackets fand Z, mounted on opposite sides of the tub, andthe other ends of these arms` are provided with castings g, either orboth of which may be adjustably secured to the arms c by means of boltsg and slots g2. These castings g are provided with journal boxes orbearings g3, which receive the gudgeons cS and c" of the cylinder. Thegudgeon c3 is provided with a squared portion c5 to receive asprocket-wheel Zz, so that the said sprocket-wheel when rotated willrotate the cylinder. The sprocket-wheel is tirstapplied to the squaredportion c5 before the nut and Washer CZ' are applied to the bolt d, andtherefore the said nut and washer bind all these parts together. It willbe observed that, the arms e being` pivoted,it is possible to move thecylinder in and out of the tub when desired. The castings g, in whichthe cylinder is supported,are provided with projections g. Theseprojections rest in brackets t', which are secured to a lever-frame j,pivoted at y" in standards jg, secured to the tub on each side. Thelever-frame is provided with a cross-bar By means of the engagement ofthe projections g with the brackets t' the upward movement of thecylinder may be controlled, and by means of the engagement of the sidearms ot' the lever-framcj with knobs g5 on the castings g any degree ot'downward pressure may be applied to the cylinder for purposes of thework in hand.

The power sprocket-wheel Z.; is mounted upon a laterally-projecting studZon a bracket Z', made fast to the side of the tub, as by a bolt Z2, anda chain belt m connects the two sprocket-wheels h and k. The stud Z iseylindrical, while the sprocket-wheel Zr, is made with au angularopening or hub, and the power handle or crank fn. is made with acircular opening a to tit the cylindrical stud Z, while the said crankis provided with an externally-angular projection n2 to tit in theangular hub of the sprocket-wheel k, so as to rotate the saidsprocket-wheel and drive the chain, while at. the same time the saidcrank revolves freely upon the stud Z. The bracket Z is provided with astud Zi", projecting from its other side, and this stud receives one ofthe arms e, which support the cylinder, the other arm e being supportedupon a stud f of the bracket f. (See details in Fig. 10.)

Should the chain belt m stretch, such stretch may be taken up byadjustment of the casting g by means of its bolt g and slot g2.

The rubbing-surface ois composed of a foundation o of boards spaced topermit of swelling without distortion, which boards are mounted uponarms p, pivoted, respectively, to the studs Z3 and f of thebrackets Zand f. The foundation o is supplied with an active surface o2 ofcorrugated zine or other material, the surface of the said materialbeing smooth, for the reason already stated.

In one form of my invention the armsp rest upon springs q, which aresecured to blocks q', made fast to the sides ofthe tub. The brackets t',which are carried by the lever-frame j, are provided with toes t',extending downwardlyand resting upon the ends ofthe armsp, so as alwaysto keep the rubbing-surface at a proper working distance from thecylinder. This is necessary in order to get the proper traction, andwhen the parts are in this position the cylinder hasafree verticalmovement in its arms until its knobs g5 come in contact with the sidearms of the lever-frame. Then a considerable thickness of clothes isintroduced between the cylinder and the rubbingsurface and the toes t"are lifted from the arms p, or, in other words, the springs qyield topermit the descent ot' the rubbing-slirface, then the proper pressure tosecure the travel of the clothes back and forth between the cylinder andthe rubbing-surface as the said cylinder is rotated back and forth issecured by pressure upon the lever-framej.

As shown in Fig. 4, I may omit the springs q and the bearings jg for thelever-frame and may extend the arms p beyond the rubbingsurface, as atp', and connect the ends of the lever-frame and these endsof the arms pby means of links r. In this form ol' my invention the knobs g5 becomepivots or fnlcra for the lever-frame, and the requisite pressure isobtained by bearing upon the cross-bar j of the lever-frame, the arms j)and the leverframe following one another in accordance with the pressurethat is put upon the leverframe.

The arms c and p and the sprocket-wheel Ze and crank 7L are secured tothe hollow studs Z3 and Z by means of the bolt s and its nut and washers', and the other arms e and p are secured to the hollow stud f of thebracket f by means of a bolt and its nut and washer t. A considerableeconomy in construction and assembling of the parts is effected by thismanner oi' uniting the parts.

'lhesoap-dish u is provided, having a bracket u fixed to it whichengages a socket u2, secured to the side of the tub. This soap-dish ismade removable, so that it maybe taken from its socket and nailed totheinside of the tub for transportation purposes.

In order to bring the machine within the smallest possible compass forpurposes of economy in the cost of transportation and for storage, Iprovide foldable legs o. These legs by preference are made with beveledends 1U. Sockets lw to receive these beveled ends of the legs aresecured to the sides of the tub, and these sockets are provided with IOOflanges fw',A which are cut away at cu2. When the legs are in theupright position, as shown 1n Figs. l and 3, the beveled ends aresecured to the sockets between the flanges w and securely held thereinby means of bolts and nuts w3. These bolts are countersunk in the backsof the sockets, as clearly indicated in F1gs.8 and 9. By removing thenuts the legs may be disengaged from the flanges w of the sockets w, andthe legs then turned up into the position indicated in Fig. 2, so thattheir beveled ends lit in the cut-away portions to2 ofthe fianges, andthen, the nuts being reapphed to the bolts, the legs may be securelybound to the sides of the tub, and so be in position for safetransportation.

My invention in foldable legs may be extended to other apparatus thanwashing-machines.

In using my machine the clothes are soaked and soaped and then one endintroduced between the cylinder and the rubbing-surface and a rotarymotion given to the cylinder, such as will impel the clothes in onedirection between them back into the tub, and by passing the clothesfirst in one direction and then in the other without at any timereleasing the grip of the cylinder upon them a very thorough rubbingaction may begiven them which more closely resembles the action ot' thehuman hands 'upon clothes on a wash-board than is possible with anymachine known to me. It is also possible with my machine to rub anyportion of a garment independently ot' the whole. By using the smoothrubbingsurface the machine is less liable to fracture and tear offbuttons than other machines to me known. Vith my machine the degree ofpressure upon the clothes being washed is wholly under the control ofthe operator through the medium of the lever-frame j, and thus a rubbingaction of greater or less severity may be applied to the clothes.Inasmuch as the clothes are being passed back and forth in the waterconstantly as they are being rubbed the clothes are thereby constantlysupplied with the washing iiuid and the dirt released by the rubbingaction is carried away by the water. By rotating the lever-frame j inthe direction of arrow 2 in Fig. 3 the cylinder and its arms are lifteduntil the brackets t' are freed from the projections g, and then thesaid lever-frame by continued rotation in the same direction may bemoved to the other end of the tub. Then by swinging the cylinder and itsarms in the direction of the arrow 3 the said cylinder may be removedfrom the tub to the left-hand end. The rubbing-surface at this timeand'under these circumstances is also movable in the same direction asthe cylinder, and thus the tub is wholly free and may be used forrinsing or other purposes. Vhen the cylinder and rubbing-surface arefolded outside of the machine,heavy garments may be washed by placing atub beneath the roller and running the garments between the cylinder andrubbingsurface. vPressure can'beobtained by applying the hand to therubbing-surface. By arranging the power-crank at one end of the machineand off of the cylinder itself, I obtain the self-adj ustin g feature inthe cylinder, and in addition I remove the power appliance to one end ofthe machine, so that an operator may stand at one end instead of at theside of the machine and have the whole apparatus under control at thatone point, and in addltion a considerable economy of power is obtained,and an accelleration of speed.

In Figs. l, l", le, and 11 I have shown the preferred forms ofpressure-regulator. I specially prefer that form shown in Figs. l"L andlc. Instead of rests q for the springs q, I employ arms q2, pivoted atg3 to the sides of the tub and having their opposite ends connected by across-bar qt, which rests upon the toes 4. and e of a rock-lever 5. Thislever 5 is pivoted to a fulcral piu 6 of a casting '7,.and this castingis made adjustable as to height by a slot 8 and bolt 9, in accordancewith the strength ot' the springs q. By lateral movement of therock-lever 5 the toe 4 is caused to raise and lower the bar Q4, andconsequently the arnis q2, and thereby put more or less tension onsprings q and so modify the pressure exerted between the rubbing-surfaceand roller. The lever 5 extends upwardly and alongside of thepressure-bar js, so as to be within easy and convenient reach of theoperator. In the form of pressure-regulatorl shown in Figs. lb and l,instead of the lever 5 and casting 7, I employ castings l0, each ofwhich is provided with a toothed rack l1, adapted, to be engaged by thehooks l2, which are pivoted 'to the arms q2. By adjustingthe hooks l2 inthe toothed racks more or'less pressure may be put upon the springs qand so upon the rubbing-surface. Obviously the form ofpressure-regulator shown in Figs. l and lC is preferred over that lastdescribed because itis adjusted instantly and by one movement, while theothers require an adjustment of each arm. By means of thepressureregulator, and more particularly that form of it shown in Figs.la and le, a light tension may be put upon the springs to bring therubbingboard up against the roller, so as to operate on thin garmentshaving buttons without injuring them. If more pressure is required uponsuch garments at places Where there are no buttons, it may be readilygiven operation of the lever 5.

Vhile herein specifically claiming the form of pressure-regulator shownin Figs. l and le, I mean to include within my broad claims all of thevarious forms of pressure-regulators herein shown and described.

l. A rubbing-cylinder, pivoted arms in which it is mounted to/rotate,and a leverframe for supporting said cylinder and its arms and forimparting downward pressure thereupon, combined with a rubbing-surface,substantially as described.

IOO

IIO

through 2. A rubbing-cylinder, pivotcd arms in which itis mounted torotate, and a leverframe for supporting said cylinder and its arms andfor imparting a downward pressure thereupon, combined with arnbliing-surfacc supported upon pivotcd arms and made yielding with thecylinder, substantially as described.

S. A rubbing-cylinder, pivotcd arms in which it has bearings, and alever-frame supporting the said arms and consequently the cylinder andadapted to impart a downward pressure thereupon, combined with therubbilig-surface, pivotcd arms supporting the same, and springs tendingnormally to force the said arms upwardly, substantially as described.

L In a washing-machine, a rotary cylinder, pivotcd arms in which itismounted to rotate, and a lever-frame forsupporting the cylinder and armsand for regulating the pressure thereupon, combined with an exposedrubbing surface or bed arranged wholly below said cylinder, whereby theclothing being Washed is taken from the tub and passed between thecylinder and rubbing-surface back into the tub at the other end and thenreturned, being exposed to view and subjected to the variable pressureof the cylinder in such passage, substantially as described.

5. In a washing-machine, a rotary corrugated or tluted cylinder adaptedto be revolved in either direction, pivotcd arms in which it is mountedto rotate, and a lever-frame for supporting the cylinder and arms andfor regulating the pressure thereupon, ,combined with an exposed rubbingsurface or bed arranged wholly below said cylinder and yielding supportstherefor', whereby the clothing may be run back and forth between thetub and cylinder and bed and rubbed and wet, being exposed to view andsubjected to the variable pressure of the cylinder in its passage,substantially as described.

6. The cylinder and its end gudgeons, castings having boxes to receivethe said gudgeons, end projections from said castings, a lever-framehaving brackets to receive the said projections, and supports for saidcastings, substautially as and for the purpose described.

7. A body a, provided with sockets w, having anges `w cut away at te?,and legs adapted to tit said sockets longitudinally to support the bodyand to be turned up transverse] y of the said sockets and securedthereto, so as to fold the legs substantially within the compass of thebody for the purposes of transportation and storage, and bolts to unitethe legs and sockets in either position, substantially as described.

8. A rubbing -cylinder, pivotcd arms in which it is mounted to rotate, alever-frame for supporting it and its arms, a rubbing-surface, andpivotcd armsin which itis supported, combined with a pressure-regulatorcomprising springs interposed between the pivotcd arms of therubbing-surface and supports therefor and an adjusting mechanism forraising and lowering the spring-supports to increase and diminish thetension ot the springs, substantiall y as described.

9. A rubbing-cylinder, pivotcd arms in which it is mounted to rotate, alever-frame for supporting it and its arms, a rubbing-surface, andpivotcd arms in which itis supported, combined witlra pressure-regulatorcomprising springs, pivotcd supports for such springs, the said springsbeing interposed between the pivotcd arms of the rubbing-surface and thepivotcd supports, a cross-bar connecting the free ends of the pivotcdsupports, and a rock-lever engaged by the cross-bar by which thecross-bar may be raised and lowered, substantiall y as described.

10. A rubbing-cylinder, pivotcd arms in which it is mounted to rotate, alever-frame for supporting it and its arms, a rubbingsurface, andpivotcd arms in which it is supported, combined with apressure-regulator comprising springs, pivotcd supports for suchsprings, the said springs being interposed between the pivotcd arms ofthe rubbingsurface and the pivotcd supports, a crossbar connecting-thefree ends ot' the pivotcd supports, a rock-lever engaged by thecrossbar, by which the cross-bar may be raised and lowered, andanadjustable fulcrum-piece for said rock-lever, substantially asdescribed,

In testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand, this Sth day of June,A. D. 1891.

JACOB \V. SPANGLER.

Vitnesses:

DAVID O. PRINCE, J. T. M. SMITH.

